Annual Planning Meeting

ALL HANDS ON DECK!  LEADERS AND PARENTS WANTED!!!  PLEASE ATTEND MONDAY'S ANNUAL PLANNING MEETING TO HELP THE PACK MAKE PLANS AND DECISIONS ABOUT YOUR SON'S NEXT YEAR OF SCOUT ACTIVITIES.

The Pack Committee helps ensure that our Cub Scouts are offered fun-filled and meaningful events through the year. 

Parents please attend and help enrich and strengthen our Pack. Topics include upcoming pack meeting plans, assignments for the next month and upcoming large-scale activities but this one is the MACK DADDY OF THEM ALL -- our annual planning meeting!  

We have a few leadership roles we HAVE to have filled and just by coming to these meetings -- you could help the Pack tremendously!  You can RSVP on Scoutbook or just show up!  The meeting agenda link will be posted in the Comments field below the event on the ScoutBook calendar.  We ask that you please print your own (no wasted paper).

The meeting is at 630pm at the Scout House on Monday, May 1.   (They usually start at 7, but since this one tends to run a little long, we are starting at 6:30pm) We will be finalizing the calendar for the 2017-2018 Pack year, reviewing the dues structure, budget, setting dates for the entire calendar, as well as finalizing summer activities.  Please come join us!

Great Day for a Derby!

Thanks to everyone for joining us at the Pinewood Derby today.  Thank you to the United Methodist Church of Keller for letting our Pack utilize the Family Life Center again this year. We had some new records set and saw some awesome craftsmanship!

This year we added a new heat with our Lions racing their Lego cars. Since this was the inaugural year for that, we discovered that there are some kinks to be worked out but I think everyone still had a great time despite the setbacks. We are learning that a Scout is Cheerful and even when things don't go our way, we can all be good sports and cheer on our friends!

Our overall winners in the Pack with the fastest averaged times are:

 

Wolf - Preston W. with an average time of 3.27

Bear - Anson H. with an average time of 3.26

and Pack 1910's GRAND CHAMPION is Tiger, Joshua W. with an average time of 3.22!

We certainly want to congratulate all of our Scouts for their entries and for doing their best!  Here are the top three from each den and overall pack winners:

1st - Kingston H.

2nd - Arlan M.

3rd - Benji D.

1st - Joshua W.

2nd - William W.

3rd - Michael T.

1st - Preston W.

2nd - Nathaniel H.

3rd - Ben S.

1st - Anson H.

2nd - Rylan M.

1st - Gavin S.

2nd - Miguel D.

3rd - Logan W.

Hey, if you took any pictures during the event, share them with us!  E-mail them to pack1910cubscouts@gmail.com

Summer Adventures

Pack 1910 likes to provide our families with plenty of opportunities to stay engaged and active all summer long. Why? Because Scouting is year-round fun! We take great pride in ensuring that we have a well-rounded annual program full of excitement with new adventures each year for your family to experience together. 

In fact, our Pack has set up a specific four-year rotation of different activities so that, for your Scout's entire Cub Scout career, he won't have to participate in the same events summer after summer.  

As in years past, we will be utilizing Scoutbook to track RSVP's for these events. This helps the adult coordinators know which Scouts to expect so that no one is left behind and that your son receives credit for awards and advancement. Also, a few of these event do require advance deposits. Once you RSVP, you will be contacted to confirm how you wish to pay. PayPal invoices can be sent via e-mail or checks mailed to the treasurer for any events. 

One important thing to note -- please be sure you are RSVPing -- even if it is a "no" -- just so that we know you received the information. Don't make me a sad bear!

Please understand that many of these programs we are planning on require not only a minimum number of participants and as stated previously, but also a deposit. If you RSVP and are not able to attend, you will still need to pay your portion as it likely has already been covered by the Pack or, alternatively, you may find a family to go in your place and have them reimburse you. Most of these events do not allow refunds. Thank you for your understanding. 

Each event will have all specific information for each activity on Scoutbook. Today's notification is merely for you to save the date for our summer of fun! 

PACK 1910 SUMMER PROGRAM 2017: 

5-8: Mustang District Day Camp. See THIS PAGE on our website that is dedicated to all things Day Camp. $98 per camper
10: Stargazing Party 
25-28: Cub Scout & Webelos Resident Camps @ Camp Tahuaya
28-July 1: Cub Scout & Webelos Resident Camps @ Camp Tahuaya
30: Fort Worth Zoo Overnight 

1: Fort Worth Zoo
8: Stargazing Party 
9-12: Cub Scout & Webelos Resident Camps @ Sid Richardson
12-15: Cub Scout & Webelos Resident Camps @ Sid Richardson
16: Roller Skating 
21: DFW Airport Tour

6: Fort Worth Museum of Science and History and Omni movie.
12: The Fort Worth Experience
26: Raingutter Regatta Race, Recruiting and Recharter Registration 

...that by joining us for just one event a month, your scout is eligible for the National Summertime Achievement Pin? These are rank specific, color-coordinated very cool special pins to place on their uniform to show off their involvement. 

If enough of his den participates, they will earn the Summertime Award for their DEN! And, collectively, if enough of our Scouts participate all summer long, our PACK earns the National Summertime Pack Award! How cool is THAT? Awards will be presented at the Scout level at the September Pack meeting.

Kids to Parks Day

Kids to Parks™ (KTP) Day is a national day of outdoor play organized by National Park Trust in cooperation with 19 national collaborators. This year’s KTP Day will be held on Saturday, May 20, 2017.

Last year, more than 731,000 participants enjoyed 1,130 park events across the country. In addition, 420 mayors and elected officials proclaimed the day and joined in the celebration. What will you do on Kids to Parks Day? Check out our park events — and keep visiting our site as we add more events closer to May 20th. Pledge to participate and join our movement to encourage children across the country to explore their neighborhood parks and discover science, history, nature, and adventure right around the corner or just across town.

One of my favorite sites, Bryan on Scouting, posted an article with ways to get involved on this national day of PLAY!

Outdoor Activity Award

Did your scout register for Day Camp? 

If so, he's on his way to earn the Outdoor Activity Award. 

Read all about the requirements for this cool award here. 

Tigers, Wolves, Bears and Webelos are eligible to earn this award which is sewn onto the uniform pocket flap.  

Because attending either Day Camp or Cub Scout/Webelos Resident Camp is a required component for earning this award, I would suggest starting work on this optional award in June after District Day Camp. That gives you a full year of Scouting to fulfill the requirements.  We have an awesome program that will allow for it to be completed easily with your continued involvement each month. 

Better yet -- the Outdoor Activity Award can be earned every year. The patch is awarded once and then pins are awarded for the additional years it is earned.

Mustang District Day Camp Registration

Unfortunately, technology issues has delayed the launching of the online registration process for the Mustang District's Day Camp but we are going ahead and collecting the information so that everyone has it on the books and is squared away!  

Mustang District Day Camp held each June is definitely a highlight of our Pack's summer calendar.  This year's theme is CREEPY CRAWLIES!  

We have a whole page dedicated to all things DAY CAMP!  Click HERE for that information. It continually be updated as we have more information.

But the important information you need NOW is:

WHO: Cub Scouts entering 1st grade in the fall - 5th graders 
WHAT:  The BEST Day Camp in our Council
WHERE:  Harvest Church on 377 in Watauga
WHEN:  June 5-8 from 8:30 am - 4 pm daily
WHY:  Because it's a BLAST
COST:  $98 per camper** and includes a t-shirt, patch, cap, all program supplies and insurance. EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS MAY 8.  After that, the fee is $108.

We NEVER want money to be a reason for your Scout to NOT attend District Day Camp so if there is a need, please complete the campership form, submit it to Chris Mahanna or April Driggers and your fee will be reduced by 50%. This is kept completely confidential.

We have created a Google Form for you to use to sign up your Cub Scout, your tot or yourself to be a walking den leader/chaperone. If you're on a computer, feel free to use the form below otherwise, click HERE for a form that will size to your mobile device's screen size.

Journey to Excellence 2016

Each of the Pack’s leaders and Scouts were given a GOLD 2016 Journey to Excellence patch. We are very proud to have earned this prestigious award and are especially grateful to the Pack’s team of den leaders and committee members whose hard work made its attainment possible.

Journey to Excellence is basically a score card for us to be able to measure the quality of our program. It takes everyone's commitment to make our unit a success, so THANK YOU!

Patches were distributed at the April Pack Meeting. If you have not yet received your patch, please check with your den leader or see Mr. Attel at the next event. We want to ensure each leader and Scout has one to wear proudly on their uniform! This award is given units who have met a list of requirements and is worn on the right sleeve of the official uniform. Please see THIS LINK for a .pdf on Cub Scout Uniform insignia if you have any questions about patch placement.

Awesome Reasons To Be A Cub Scout

I shared this around the same time last year and it's worth a repost!

Scouting makes the world such a small place!  One of my favorite blogs shared a post on the 10 Awesome Reasons You Should Sign Your Kid Up For Cub Scouts and I could NOT agree more!  She includes personal examples that completely validate the authenticity of this amazing program.

With her permission, I am including a link to her blog post.  I encourage all of our families to read it... share... start a dialogue with those you think might benefit from the program!  Bring them to tomorrow's Pack meeting.

Remember, Day Camp registration is also upon us and what a GREAT way to introduce your friends and their families to all the awesomeness of Cub Scouts!

Thank you, A Southern Mom, for sharing your own personal experience with Scouting.

Day Camp Reminder

The annual Mustang District Day Camp held each June is definitely a highlight of our Pack's summer calendar.  This year's theme is CREEPY CRAWLIES!  How cool is that?

We have a whole page dedicated to all things DAY CAMP!  Click HERE for that information. It continually be updated as we have more information.

But the important information you need NOW is:

WHO: Cubs entering 1st grade in the fall - 5th graders 
WHAT:  The BEST Day Camp in our Council
WHERE:  Harvest Church on 377 in Watauga
WHEN:  June 5-9 from 8 am - 4 pm daily
WHY:  Because it's a BLAST
COST:  $98 per camper** and includes a t-shirt, patch, cap, all program supplies and insurance. EARLY BIRD REGISTRATION ENDS MAY 8.  After that, the fee is $108.

We NEVER want money to be a reason for your Scout to NOT attend District Day Camp so if there is a need, please complete the campership form, submit it to Chris Mahanna or April Driggers and your fee will be reduced by 50%.  We absolutely treat these in the most confidential manner.

**Please note -- We are participating again in the Camp Card Sales to let the boys earn money to pay for and/or offset this fee.  For ever $10 camp card they sell, 50% (or $5) goes toward their day camp fee (or if they're not going to day camp, toward another event fee).

So again, SAVE THE DATE!  

Spring Trash Bash

As a reminder, Pack 1910 has partnered with the City of Keller's Adopt-A-Street Program so that we have our own designated stretch of road to pick up which will help keep our city clean and beautiful!

We are responsible for the one-mile stretch of Johnson Road between Chandler and Pearson.  

All of us working together makes it easy to do our part to continue to...


As a bonus, by participating in this community-wide event, many of our scouts will earn needed requirement components for their rank advancement.

As we did in the fall, we will all park on GREENBRIAR at 9:15 am (this is a residential street located off of Johnson Road.) Our group leader will pick up the attendance sheet from the City of Keller at 9am from Bear Creek Park and will also bring the safety vests, the grab nabbers and a limited supply of latex gloves. All participants are asked to wear CLOSED TOE SHOES and WORK GLOVES (if you have them). We will divide into two groups going both east and west on Johnson Road on one side then crossing to the other and working our way back to Greenbriar. If you can bring extra large black trash bags, that would be quite helpful.

This is an all-hands-on-deck event. The more that come, the faster it goes but it's a great way to show our support for our city and to do our part to help where others have forgotten to Leave No Trace. 

**IMPORTANT** 

The City of Keller is asking ALL PARTICIPANTS (that means parents, siblings and scouts) who are participating in this event to provide a copy of the form in this link. Please get this to April at Tuesday's Pack meeting or AS SOON AS POSSIBLE (she MUST have it before the day of the event). You CANNOT participate without one on file. This is mandated by the City of Keller.

After our section is clean, at 11am they are serving lunch at the big pavilion in Bear Creek Park and will be doing the patch presentation for all scout groups. I hope you guys can come for that as well.

Volunteers Wanted!

Our Scouts want to go to Day Camp. Online Day Camp registration will soon be live! For every 5 youth signed up for Day Camp, we need one parent volunteer as a chaperone. We need two deep leadership, however, so for each day we need four parents. But, more than that, we need ONE parent to be the Day Camp Coordinator.

What IS a Day Camp Coordinator? I'm glad you asked.  This is someone to ensure that we have the list of registered scouts, that they've submitted their registration online, that we have a copy of their health form and that their parent(s) register at least one day as a chaperone and that THEY have attended live YPT training. It's just someone to work behind the scenes as a point-of-contact for this activity and check boxes beside names. It's a very simple but very important job. You do NOT need to be a registered leader to do this... just someone who is willing to lend a helping hand.

We know there is someone out there waiting to help fill a void -- and THIS IS YOUR TIME TO SHINE! We need you!

And, if you're just feeling exceptionally generous, we have another couple of volunteer roles that we would love to be filled before the upcoming year. Please come to the Annual Planning Committee Meeting is Monday, May 1. If you'd like to plug in, please PLEASE do everything possible to make it to this meeting. THIS MEETING is where the magic happens and we need YOU to be a part of it!

PLEASE SEE OUR LEADER PAGE FOR MORE INFORMATION ON THESE AND OTHER WAYS YOU CAN HELP FILL THE CRITICAL NEEDS OF OUR PACK.

Flag Retirement Ceremony

Friday, April 21 is going to be another amazing opportunity for Pack 1910 Cub Scouts and their families. Ridgeview Elementary is having their annual outdoor family movie night in the field by the school and Pack 1910 is going to do a full flag retirement ceremony before the movie.

What an amazing way to introduce Scouting AND citizenship to the student body at Ridgeview. All Scouts and Scouters are to wear full field uniforms to participate in the ceremony. Please arrive no later than 7pm. Those helping with set up please be there by 6:45 pm.

The event has been created and is on the Scoutbook calendar, please RSVP if you will be there so we know who to give speaking parts to for this very important event.

Families participating in the flag retirement are encouraged to stay and enjoy the movie. 

Again, please indicate your availability to serve in this capacity on Scoutbook. I hope we have an all-hands-on-deck representation of our boys and leadership for our school. It's a great investment of time for recruiting as well.

Recruiters Wanted!

One of the best ways to enjoy Cub Scouts is to do it with friends!  What a better way to share in fellowship with people you already know and love, than in the Scouting Program! 

Do you know your sons can earn a special patch just for getting a friend to sign up?  

Our spring recruiting drive is underway for the Cub Scout program that will begin this summer. (Oh yes, we are YEAR ROUND and have lots of fun in the summer!) If your son has a friend that you think would be interested in joining, we encourage our scouts to bring a friend to the April Pack Meeting next week.  

We will have leadership available to answer parent questions so that they can get started in their Cub Scout journey the first day of summer (or sooner) and even attend the BEST District Day Camp in Texas this June!

We encourage you to send your interested families to our website or our Facebook page for more information. If you'd like a flyer, we can provide you with one.  Thanks for all you do to make Pack 1910 the best around!

April - A Scout is Thrifty

The Scout handbook states that "A Scout is thrifty. A Scout works to pay his way and to help others. He saves for the future. He protects and conserves natural resources. He carefully uses time and property."

The Boy Scout Trail states it well, 

"Of the twelve points in the Scout Law, I imagine that Thrifty is the one most difficult to quantify. A Scout in an affluent community may consider himself thrifty by saving his $25 allowance for two weeks to buy a video game while a few Scouts in a less wealthy neighborhood might pool the change they collected from turning in soda bottles to buy a bag of candy. Being rich or poor does not define the ability to be thrifty or not. A rich person can be thrifty without being a Scrooge and a poor person can be thrifty while still sharing what he has."

One of the reasons we have fundraisers is so not to burden our Scouts' families with the cost of every activity he may wish to participate in.  If he doesn't bear part of the responsibility (I like to call it "sweat equity") for helping to fund the adventures he wants to partake, he has no vested interest.  While it may be easier for us to just write a check and pay their way, it teaches them nothing about working and saving to reach their goal, and everything about feeling entitled to simply get what they want.  When they have a vested interest and understand how hard they've worked, they start to understand the idea of value and investment and ultimately, the reward for hard work.

Our annual popcorn fundraiser is a chance to provide Scouts the opportunity to practice not only the art of sales, but also that of communication, rejection, goal setting and reward. Being able to sell Camp Cards to pay their way to Day Camp and attend Pack overnighters that might otherwise prove to be a little cost-prohibitive, is an excellent lesson in setting a goal and investing in their program.  When they aren't given a blank check for everything they want but have to learn to put forth effort and prioritize to acquire what they want, they are taught perseverance and life skills they can't learn elsewhere at such an early age.

At the Webelos level (when the dens are permitted camp on their own) and are taught the patrol method of Boy Scouts (meal planning for camp outs and learning to shop within a set budget), scouts learn the importance of staying WITHIN that budget and completing the task of making it work by being thrifty.  Paying their way is such an important part of their Scouting experience.  Our hope is that our Pack families understand that the need to participate in fundraising isn't merely to raise funds, but to teach the boys valuable life lessons and help us all continue to have a vested interest in the program.

Being thrifty isn't always about money, however.  Being thrifty can be about resources - turning off the faucet when you're brushing your teeth, turning off lights when you leave a room, keeping the doors shut in the summer, using what you have until it is no longer functional rather than buying the newest model just because so-and-so has one or even repurposing materials rather than buying new.  Not wasting resources like water and electricity is called conservation.  Conservation is SO important to our world and we will continue to make it an integral part of the Scouting movement.  

Our 2017 winter fundraiser this year will be used to pay for and finish furnishing our Pack's camping trailer.  Our goal is to outfit this trailer with camping supplies so that each den has what they need for our Pack events enabling them to get the most of their Scouting experience without having to be burdened with purchasing camping equipment that they may not always need (camp stoves, lanterns, Dutch ovens, etc.) Being thrifty will be an important part of this process because we anticipate these materials lasting years. Therefore, our expectation is that the boys learn the process for taking care of them. This means that they are helping to conserve pack resources which will help with future Pack purchases instead of the Pack having to continually repair or replace things that aren't taken care of.  

I also completely agree with this sentiment as well, 

As Scouts and citizens in the most wasteful country in the world, we have a real challenge to raise our level of thrift. We are much like the child that is given everything and comes to expect everything. We consume more, conserve less, and expect better than we have. We know we should change, but few of us do.  Even worse, we have come to accept debt as a way of life in this country. A thrifty Scout should expect nothing and work for everything he desires. 

Whether rich or poor, a Scout that is thrifty learns that by adhering to the other points of the Scout Law, his thriftiness is also part of being helpful, friendly, courteous, and kind. Sharing of one's own doesn't necessarily mean money as much as doing what you can, with what you have, to make the world a better place. 

A Scout is thrifty.